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Ferry Fire Near San Juan Harbor, Puerto Rico

Update: See the August 19 U.S. Coast Guard News Release on this incident. On August 17, 2016, NOAA was notified by the U.S. Coast Guard that the passenger and vehicle ferry Caribbean Fantasy, was on fire and being evacuated just outside of San Juan Harbor in Puerto Rico.

The 561 foot vessel, carrying 512 passengers and crew, was en route to the Dominican Republic. All the passengers and crew have been evacuated and firefighting and salvage efforts are on-going. The fire reportedly began in the engine room of the ship and spread to other compartments on board. There have been no reports of any spills, but NOAA has prepared oil trajectory forecasts, resource maps, and other products in the event a spill does occur. For more information, see the U.S. Coast Guard press release.

A local San Juan, Puerto Rico-based tug crew use a fire hose to cool the hull of the 561-foot Caribbean Fantasy ferry vessel that caught fire earlier a mile from San Juan Harbor, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2016. The Caribbean Fantasy's engine room caught fire, which began to spread to other compartments forcing passengers and crew to abandon the ferry vessel. (U.S. Coast Guard)